1. Surprise visit.

Speaking to the troops, he staunchly defended his decision to withdraw U.S. forces from neighboring Syria.

Trump said it showed America’s renewed stature on the world stage and his quest to put “America first.”

“We’re no longer the suckers, folks… We’re respected again as a nation.

“We can use this as a base if we wanted to do something in Syria.. If we see something happening with ISIS that we don’t like, we can hit them so fast and so hard they really won’t know what the hell happened.”

2. Report shows long-term benefits of First Class Pre-K.

New research shows Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program benefits students over the long term with no signs of “fade out” over time.

In a recently-completed study, students who attended First Class Pre-K were significantly more proficient in Math and Reading in 3rd through 7th grade than students who did not. The results of the study also showed that these long-term results held true even after controlling for factors that have been shown to impact students outcomes, including poverty, ethnicity, and time.

Alabama boasts the nation’s highest rated Pre-K program for quality, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research.

The state has maintained that high quality rating while trying to grow access to the program. Recent funding investments have expanded First Class to 1,045 classrooms serving almost 19,000 students statewide, or 32 percent of the eligible population.

In a letter to educators, Secretary of Early Childhood Education Jeana Ross invited those interested to apply for First Class grants.

“First Class Pre-K is offered in a variety of settings across the state. Diverse delivery programs in all 67 counties are encouraged to apply: childcare centers; public school systems; faith-based centers; college and university lab schools; private schools; community organizations; military childcare centers; and other providers of preschool,” Ross wrote.

Read that full story with links to the report and the grant applications from ADN’s Caroline Beck HERE.

3. Stock surge.

The Dow closed up more than 1,000 points Wednesday in the best day for Wall Street in 10 years.

It came not a moment too soon as stocks rallied back from a Christmas Eve beating.

One big reason: consumer confidence. Mastercard says retail sales rose 5.1 percent between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24 from a year ago. SpendingPulse, which tracks spending online and in stores across all payment types, says total sales topped $850 billion this year, and that online sales continue to grow, up more than 19 percent from a year ago.

Also helpful: China’s government confirmed January plans for talks aimed at ending a tariff battle that threatens to depress global trade.

The two sides have “made specific arrangements for face-to-face meetings” and are talking by phone, said a Ministry of Commerce spokesman,

Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed Dec. 1 to postpone more tariff hikes for 90 days while their governments negotiate over U.S. complaints Beijing steals or pressures foreign companies to hand over technology.

Companies and investors worry the dispute might depress global trade at a time of rising anxiety about signs economic growth might be slowing.

The two sides are maintaining “close communication.”

4. Ivey issues housing grants.

The funds from the Emergency Solutions Grant program will support organizations across the state that provide shelter, legal and health services and financial education for families and individuals without a residence. The grant program also can assist these families with moving costs, including rental and utility deposits.

“While many of us gather with family and friends this time of year, it’s important to remember that there are some Alabamians currently struggling to keep a roof over their heads and others who don’t have a home at all,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to award this funding to provide important aid to many families at a critical moment in their lives.”

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.